en_tn/tNotes/Ezekiel/Ezekiel_23.md

Ezekiel 23

Ezekiel 23:1

General Information:

Yahweh speaks of how the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria have been unfaithful to him in a metaphor in which he refers to them as two prostitutes. This metaphor continues through Ezekiel 23:34. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

The word of Yahweh came

This is an idiom that is used to introduce something that God told his prophets or his people. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 3:16. Alternate translation: "Yahweh spoke this message" or "Yahweh spoke these words" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)

Ezekiel 23:2

Son of man

"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God calls Ezekiel this to emphasize that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful, but humans are not. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 2:1. Alternate translation: "Mortal person" or "Human"

Ezekiel 23:3

Their breasts were squeezed

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Men squeezed their breasts" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

their virgin nipples were fondled there

This phrase means basically the same thing as the previous phrase and emphasizes the immoral behavior of the two young women. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "there men fondled their virgin nipples" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

fondled

to be touched lovingly or softly

Ezekiel 23:4

they became mine

This means that he married them and they became his wives. Alternate translation: "they became my wives" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

Their names mean this: Oholah means Samaria, and Oholibah means Jerusalem

"Oholah represents Samaria, and Oholibah represents Jerusalem." In this metaphor Samaria is spoken of as if it were Oholah and Jerusalem is spoken of as if it were Oholibah. This speaks of how these cities were unfaithful to Yahweh as if they were unfaithful wives. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Oholah

This is the name of a woman that means "her tent." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)

Oholibah

This is the name of a woman that means "my tent is in her." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)

Ezekiel 23:5

General Information:

Yahweh continues his metaphor in which he speaks of the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two prostitutes. This metaphor continues through Ezekiel 23:34. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

when she was mine

This refers to when she was his wife. Alternate translation: "while she was still my wife" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

who were dominant

"who ruled over her"

Ezekiel 23:6

General Information:

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Ezekiel 23:7

all the best of Assyria's men

This identifies who the word "them" refers to.

she made herself unclean with everyone she lusted for—and with all their idols

This implies that she slept with all of these men and worshiped the idols they worshiped. Alternate translation: "she made herself unclean by sleeping with everyone she lusted for and by worshiping all their idols" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

unclean

A person who God considers spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Ezekiel 23:8

General Information:

Yahweh continues his metaphor in which he speaks of the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two prostitutes. This metaphor continues through Ezekiel 23:34. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

poured out their lust upon her

This speaks of lust as if it were a large amount of water that they were pouring out on her. Alternate translation: "to act lustfully toward her" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Ezekiel 23:9

I gave her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians

The word "hand" refers to power or control. The two phrases have the same meaning and the second phrase explains that "her lovers" were "the Assyrians." Alternate translation: "I gave her over to her lovers, the Assyrians" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)

Ezekiel 23:10

they executed judgment on her

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: "they talked about her disgrace" or "she had a bad reputation among them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)

Ezekiel 23:11

General Information:

Yahweh continues his metaphor in which he speaks of the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two prostitutes. This metaphor continues through Ezekiel 23:34. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Oholibah

This is the name of a woman that means "my tent is in her." See how you translated this name in Ezekiel 23:4. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)

Ezekiel 23:12

General Information:

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Ezekiel 23:13

unclean

A person who God considers spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 23:7. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

It was the same for both sisters

This refers to how they had both made themselves unclean. Alternate translation: "Both sisters became unclean through their acts of prostitution" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

Ezekiel 23:14

General Information:

Yahweh continues his metaphor in which he speaks of the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two prostitutes. This metaphor continues through Ezekiel 23:34. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Ezekiel 23:15

turbans

hats made out of long cloth and wrapped around the top of a man's head

had the appearance of officers of chariot troops, the likeness of sons

The abstract nouns "likeness" and "appearance" can be translated with verbal phrases. Alternate translation: "appeared the way officers of chariot troops do, and they looked like sons" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)

chariot troops

soldiers who drive chariots and who run ahead of and beside them

sons of Babylonia

"Babylonians"

Ezekiel 23:16

General Information:

Yahweh continues his metaphor in which he speaks of the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two prostitutes. This metaphor continues through Ezekiel 23:34. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Ezekiel 23:17

her bed of lust

This refers to her bed where she slept with men and acted lustfully. Alternate translation: "her bed where she acted lustfully" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

they made her unclean with their promiscuousness

This means that they slept with the woman. Alternate translation: "they slept with her and made her unclean" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

unclean

A person who God considers spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 23:7. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

so she turned herself away from them

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: "so she rejected them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)

Ezekiel 23:18

General Information:

Yahweh continues his metaphor in which he speaks of the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two prostitutes. This metaphor continues through Ezekiel 23:34. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Ezekiel 23:19

General Information:

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Ezekiel 23:20

General Information:

Yahweh continues his metaphor in which he speaks of the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two prostitutes. This metaphor continues through Ezekiel 23:34. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

whose private parts were like those of donkeys

This compares the size of the mens' private parts to those of a donkey to show how wicked Oholibah's desires were. This is an exaggeration as they could not be as large as those of a donkey. Alternate translation: "whose private parts were very long, like those of a donkey" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)

whose reproductive emissions were like those of horses

This compares the volume of the mens' emissions to those of a horse to show how wicked Oholibah's desires were. This is an exaggeration as they could not be like those of a horse. Alternate translation: "whose reproductive emissions were huge, like those of a horse" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)

Ezekiel 23:21

General Information:

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Ezekiel 23:22

General Information:

Yahweh continues his metaphor in which he speaks of the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two prostitutes. This metaphor continues through Ezekiel 23:34. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Behold!

"Listen!" The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.

I will bring them against you from every side

"I will cause them to attack you from all directions"

Ezekiel 23:23

the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them

This does not refer to all of the people who live in these places, but rather to soldiers from there. Alternate translation: "soldiers from Babylon and all of Chaldea, Pekod, Shoa, and Koa, and all the soldiers of Assyria with them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)

Pekod, Shoa, and Koa

These are the names places in Babylonia. These places represent the soldiers from these places. Alternate translation: "those from Pekod, Shoa, and Koa" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

strong, handsome men, governors and commanders ... all of them riding on horses

This is the description of the men of Assyria that Oholah had slept with who are now turning against her. This is similar to the description given in Ezekiel 23:6.

Ezekiel 23:24

General Information:

Yahweh continues his metaphor in which he speaks of the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two prostitutes. This metaphor continues through Ezekiel 23:34. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

will come against you

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: "will attack you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)

with weapons

The Hebrew word translated here as "weapons" is rare. Many modern versions translate it in this way, but some versions leave this phrase out.

They will set large shields, small shields, and helmets against you all around

These defensive items are used to refer to various types of soldiers. Alternate translation: "Soldiers will attack you on all sides carrying large shields, small shields, and wearing helmets" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

Ezekiel 23:25

For I will set my jealous anger on you, and they will deal with you in fury

Here Yahweh speaks of causing the armies to attack them because he is angry with them as if his anger where something that he was placing upon them. Alternate translation: Because I am very jealous for you, I will cause them to act furiously towards you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

They will cut off your noses and your ears

This describes the punishment in Babylon for married women who slept with men that are not their husbands. Alternate translation: "They will punish you as an adulteress, by cutting of your noses and your ears" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

your survivors will fall by the sword

The word "fall" is a euphemism for "die." The word "sword" is a metonym for soldiers who kill with swords. Alternate translation: "men will kill your survivors with their swords" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-euphemism and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

your survivors will be devoured by fire

This speaks of the survivors being burned by fire as if the fire were an animal attacking and eating them. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "your survivors will be burned by fire" or "fire will burn your survivors" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

Ezekiel 23:26

General Information:

Yahweh continues his metaphor in which he speaks of the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two prostitutes. This metaphor continues through Ezekiel 23:34. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Ezekiel 23:27

from the land of Egypt

This refers to her prostitution as beginning in Egypt. Alternate translation: "which you began in the land of Egypt" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

You will not lift up your eyes toward them with longing

This is a way to refer to a person turning their head to look at something. Here looking represents desire. Alternate translation: "You will not look toward them with longing" or "You will not desire these things" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

you will think of Egypt no longer

Here "Egypt" represents the shameful things that she did in Egypt. Alternate translation: "you will think about the things you did in Egypt no longer" or "you will not think about what you did in Egypt any more" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

Ezekiel 23:28

General Information:

Yahweh continues his metaphor in which he speaks of the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two prostitutes. This metaphor continues through Ezekiel 23:34. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Behold

"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important"

give you into the hand of the ones you hate ... into the hand of the ones from whom you had turned away

These two phrases have the same meaning. It means that they will be captured by the men they used to prostitute themselves to. Alternate translation: "allow you to be captured by those you hate and had turned away from" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

into the hand

Here the word "hand" refers to control. Alternate translation: "into the control" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

Ezekiel 23:29

naked and bare

These two words mean the same thing and emphasize that she will be completely uncovered. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)

your nakedness will be uncovered

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "They will reveal your nakedness" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

Ezekiel 23:30

General Information:

Yahweh continues his metaphor in which he speaks of the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two prostitutes. This metaphor continues through Ezekiel 23:34. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

These things will be done to you in your acting

"These things will be done to you because you have acted." This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "These things will happen to you because you have acted" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

acting like a prostitute, lusting after nations

Ezekiel speaks of Oholibah, who represents Judah (Ezekiel 23:4), as if she were a prostitute sleeping with the men of many nations for money. He wants the people of Judah to understand that Yahweh to punish them because they were worshiping the idols of other nations so they could get those nations' wealth and power. Alternate translation: "acting like a prostitute, lusting after men of other nations" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

became unclean with their idols

She became unclean by worshiping the idols. Alternate translation: "became unclean by worshiping their idols" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

unclean

A person who God considers spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 23:7. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Ezekiel 23:31

so I will put her cup of punishment into your hand

This refers to Oholibah's punishment that she will receive as if it were a cup of wine. Alternate translation: "so I will cause you to be punished in the same way as your sister" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Ezekiel 23:32

General Information:

Yahweh continues his metaphor in which he speaks of the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two prostitutes. This metaphor continues through Ezekiel 23:34. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

You will drink your sister's cup

Here Yahweh speaks of punishment as if it were a cup of wine the woman drank. Alternate translation: "You will drink the same cup of punishment as your sister" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

your sister's cup that is

Here the "cup" represents what is in the cup. Alternate translation: "from your sister's cup that is" or "all that is in your sister's cup, and her cup is" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

a laughingstock ... a subject for derision

Both of these phrases refer to a person who is laughed at and criticized because of their foolish behavior. Derision is mocking or ridiculing something or someone. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)

this cup contains a great amount

This sentence does not say what is in the cup because it is understood by reading Ezekiel 23:31. Alternate translation: "this cup contains a great amount of punishment" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-ellipsis)

Ezekiel 23:33

General Information:

Yahweh continues his metaphor in which he speaks of the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two prostitutes. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

You will be filled with drunkenness and sorrow

This speaks of being very drunk and full of sorrow as if drunkenness and sorrow were things that filled her body. Alternate translation: "You will become very drunk and very sad" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

the cup of horror and devastation

"the cup that causes horror and devastation." The words "horror" and "devastation" share similar meanings here and emphasize how terrible her punishment will be. Alternate translation: "for what is in that cup causes horror and devastation" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)

the cup of your sister Samaria

Oholibah's sister Oholah represents Samaria. Samaria is called by it's name but still referred to as a sister. The cup is a symbol for the punishment that she received. Alternate translation: "for this is the same cup of punishment that your sister, who represents Samaria, drank" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Ezekiel 23:34

tear your breasts

"cut your beasts"

this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration

Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 5:11. Alternate translation: "this is what the Lord Yahweh has declared" or "this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-123person)

Ezekiel 23:35

thrown me away behind your back

Yahweh speaks of Oholibah rejecting him as if he were an object that she had thrown behind her back and forgotten. Alternate translation: "rejected me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Ezekiel 23:36

Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah?

Yahweh uses this rhetorical question as a command for Ezekiel. This question can be written as a statement. The cities of Jerusalem and Samaria are represented by Oholah and Oholibah. Alternate translation: "Son of man, you will judge Oholah and Oholibah!" or "Son of man, judge the people of those two cities represented by Oholah and Oholibah." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Son of man

"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God calls Ezekiel this to emphasize that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful, but humans are not. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 2:1.

Ezekiel 23:37

there is blood on their hands

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: "they have murdered people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)

Ezekiel 23:38

General Information:

Yahweh speaks about how the people of Jerusalem and Samaria have been unfaithful to him.

unclean

A person or thing God considers spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if it were physically unclean. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 23:7. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

on the same day they defile my Sabbaths

The phrase "same day" refers to the previous phrase "make my sanctuary unclean." Alternate translation: "on the same day on which they make my sanctuary unclean, they defile my Sabbaths" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

Ezekiel 23:39

behold!

"pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important"

in the middle of my house

This refers to the house in general. The reference to the "middle" emphasizes that what was done happened openly in the temple and defiled the whole place. Alternate translation: "in my own house" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)

Ezekiel 23:40

General Information:

Yahweh again refers to the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two prostitutes. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

behold

"look" or "listen" or "pay attention to what I am about to tell you"

you bathed, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with jewelry

These are things done by a woman to make her appear more beautiful to a man.

you bathed

Here the word "you" switches to singular and refers to only one sister, but the situation is probably the same for both sisters. If one sister must be specified in your language, refer to Oholibah here. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-you)

Ezekiel 23:41

you sat

Here the word "you" switches to singular and refers to only one sister, but the situation is probably the same for both sisters. If one sister must be specified in your language, refer to Oholibah here. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-you)

my incense and my oil

These are items used in worship to Yahweh.

Ezekiel 23:42

General Information:

Yahweh continues to refer to the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two prostitutes. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

So the sound of a noisy crowd was around her

The sound of the crowd is used to refer to the crowd of people. Alternate translation: "So there was a noisy crowd around her" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

was around her ... on their hands

"was around her ... on her and her sister's hands." This verse begins by referring to one of the sisters but the situation is probably the same for both sisters. If one sister must be specified in your language, refer to Oholibah here. In the second part of the verse it switches back to referring to both sisters with the word "their."

Sabeans were brought

This can be stated in active form. The word "Sabeans" refers to people from Sheba. Alternate translation: "Sabeans had come" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive and rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)

they put bracelets

The word "they" refers to the men.

Ezekiel 23:43

General Information:

Yahweh continues to refer to the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria as if they were two prostitutes. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

her who was worn out ... with her, and she with them

This refers to one of the sisters but the situation is probably the same for both sisters. If one sister must be specified in your language, refer to Oholibah here.

Ezekiel 23:44

They went in to her, as men go in to a prostitute

They had sexual relations with her in the same way that men have sexual relations with a prostitute.

They went in to her

"They went in to where she was" or "They went to her"

In this way they went in to Oholah and Oholibah

"This is how they had sexual relations with Oholah and Oholibah"

Ezekiel 23:45

pass judgment

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: "condemn" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)

who shed blood ... blood is on their hands

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: "who murder people ... murderers" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)

Ezekiel 23:46

raise up a company

The phrase "raise up" is an idiom. Alternate translation: "gather a large group of people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)

against them and give them

"against Jerusalem and Samaria and give them"

give them up

Yahweh gives up the responsibility to take care of them and allows them to suffer.

to be terrorized and plundered

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "for the company to terrorize and plunder them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

Ezekiel 23:47

cut them down

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: "kill them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)

Ezekiel 23:48

General Information:

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Ezekiel 23:49

So they will set your

"So the company will set your." The word "they" refers to the "company" of people from Ezekiel 23:47.

set your shameful behavior against you

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: "cause you to accept responsibility for your shameful behavior" or "punish you for your shameful behavior" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)

bear the guilt of your sins with your idols

"accept responsibility for the guilt of your sins with your idols." This implies that they will be punished for their sins. Alternate translation: "receive the punishment for sinning by worshiping your idols" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)